Jonathan Pollard and Nissim Louk announce the formation of a new political force in Israel
Former intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard, whose name has been associated for decades with the largest espionage scandal between the U.S. and Israel, has officially confirmed his intention to run for a seat in the Knesset. Speaking on Channel 13, he announced that he is not entering the elections alone: his party partner is Nissim Louk. Nissim is the father of Shani Louk, who became a symbol of the October 7 tragedy; her body was recovered and brought home by IDF soldiers only seven months after her death at the Nova festival.
For a long time, Pollard distanced himself from political battles, but the events of “Black Saturday” changed his position. According to the newly minted politician, he saw a frightening resemblance between the actions of the country’s leadership and his own personal fate. Pollard is convinced that on the day of the Hamas attack, the government and defense structures effectively left the people of Israel defenseless, just as the state machinery once abandoned him after his arrest in Washington.
The political platform of the new party is built on the principles of maximum security reinforcement and a complete overhaul of civic duties. One of Pollard’s key proposals is a reform of the national service system, which he considers an equal duty for all categories of citizens without exception. According to his vision, participation in the life and defense of the country must become mandatory for everyone, regardless of religion or political views, including the Arab sector.
The politician sees the solution to the Palestinian issue in the resettlement of Gaza’s residents, returning the Strip to its original status as it existed before the disengagement, and the subsequent construction of Jewish settlements in the territory.
In his assessment of the current government, Pollard does not hold back. He openly accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of misinformation, calling reports of “brilliant victories” in the war a lie, as strategic threats to the country have yet to be eliminated. Nevertheless, for the sake of consolidating right-wing forces, Pollard allows for the possibility of joining a coalition with Likud, emphasizing that his goal is to replace loyal functionaries in the cabinet with individuals who hold a firm stance.
Regarding potential allies, Pollard expressed readiness for dialogue with Avigdor Liberman but closed the door on negotiations with Naftali Bennett. He considers the former prime minister to be one of those responsible for the conditions that led to the October 7 catastrophe, linking Bennett’s policy of increasing work quotas for Gaza residents to the subsequent failure of the security system.
